To the Editor:

I read with interest the story that appeared in the March 8 edition in which you reported that the ASSU has called for increased professional advising staff to meet the needs of undergraduates. It will come as welcome news to your readers that UAR (Undergraduate Advising and Research) has plans to do just that. Our strategic plan calls for a significant expansion of our advising staff over the next few years. It is our hope to reduce advisor-to-student ratios to a level that would enable every undeclared student to meet quarterly with their UAR advisor. 

It should also be noted that, in addition to the 13 AADs mentioned in the article, UAR employs five AARC advisors for the approximately 900 student-athletes on campus, as well as advisors who specialize in working with pre-med and pre-law students, transfer students and coterms. 

Louis E. Newman 

Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education 

Director, Undergraduate Advising and Research 

Contact Louis E. Newman at lnewman7 ‘at’ stanford.edu.